Hangin' in There!
I was driving in our neighborhood the other day when I passed this poor excuse for a tree in a nearby empty lot.
Over the last three years, I’ve seen this thing gradually reduced from a somewhat taller and more, er, robust version of itself – to this. Pretty pathetic, ain’t it?
Every time we get a strong wind, I’m convinced I’ll drive by and see it has given up the ghost and finally assumed the horizontal position. When Hurricane Ike bulldozed through Houston over a year ago, I really thought that would be the final blow, so to speak. Yet every time I’m surprised to find it holding on just a little bit longer.
Oh, sure, it might be a little smaller, perhaps a little, er, less vigorous than is used to be (which may be considered the understatement of the century), but this amazing tree has managed to persevere no matter what’s been thrown at it. But no – this fellah is still hangin’ in there.
But more than that – it’s still growing! You can see a small clump of leaves there on what remains of the only branch left. What’s more, there’s even a few new saplings growing upward from the base of the trunk, too.
I’ll tell ya what, folks, if there ain’t a powerful lesson here, I’ll… well, I’ll eat my hat!
So I guess the million-dollar questions you have to ask yourself today are: What’s been knockin’ ya down, lately? And, what’s your response gonna be?
Next time you’re tempted to give up, just remember this tree. (And yes, I’m talkin’ to me, too.)
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
The wind is blowing hard here, spiritually, emotionally speaking, but I am still hanging in there. Because the roots have grown deep in the rich, darkness of the soil. It is God’s nourishment and faithfulness that sustains when life seeks to knock me down. Thanks for the visual this morning. I needed it!
Thanks for that post. Life’s been really kicking my butt recently and I needed to read that.
That’s a great metaphor Robert.
There’s a quote that goes something like “you can change, you’re not a tree”.
In this case, it’s more like “you can change, you can be the strong, silent tree that listens within and gives its internal life force the conditions and the chance to shine”
My quotes need work huh?
@Nancy – Hey, thanks for continuing the alliteration; makes a great metaphor, don’cha think? God’s nourishment is certainly key to being able to handle life when it tries its best to knock you down. I appreciate your dropping by, Nancy, and a tip o’ the hat to ya!
@Lovelyn – I’m sorry to hear about the butt-kicking thing, Lovelyn, but hey, at least you got a lot of company! (Not that it’s much help, right?) Glad my few words might have helped, too. Drop by anytime!
@Reeta – Uh… hey, if it works for you, who am I to critique it?
(Don’t worry; I think we get the nub of the gist.)
Have a great week and drop by again, won’t you?
Good work, In this case, it’s more like “you can change, you can be the strong, silent tree that listens within and gives its internal life force the conditions and the chance to shine
@Carson – Maybe you’ve got something there. Sorta reminds me of the storyline of “The Giving Tree”. Thanks for the comment and a tip o’ the hat for makin’ me think today, Carson!
Nice article,,, i to feel like the old tree just “hanging on”, at times myself. “if you always do, what you have always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got”.. so take deep breath, be stronger… wish it was that easy!
@Don – Hey, nobody said it was easy! At least, you didn’t hear it from me!